Dr. Hossam Abdel-Maksoud, a businessman, pharmacist, husband, father and activist, has spent the better part of the past six years since 9/11 to take every opportunity to educate people about Arab Americans and help change people’s perception of who Arab Americans are.

A real immigrant success story, Dr. Abdel-Maksoud came to the United States with his family in 1982. He graduated summa cum laude from St. John’s University in 1989, with a degree in pharmacy. Since he began Maksoud Pharmaceutical, Inc. his business has grown and he now owns and operates a number of pharmacies in New York and Egypt. He also has a thriving import-export business, including distributing medical equipment, and health and beauty aids.

His business and his family keep him busy, but Dr. Maksoud finds the time to be involved in organizations, such as the Egyptian American United Legal and Social Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, the New York State Pharmaceutical Society, CAIR [Council on American-Islamic Relations], and the Egyptian American Community Foundation.

Dr. Maksoud says he got involved with community issues after he realized how poorly the average person perceived Arabs and Arab Americans.

“I saw there were a lot of issues Arab Americans should talk about and explain to neighbors, their community, the media, telling them who we really are and improving the image that was shown of us,” he explained. “I want to make sure my kids aren’t going to be treated as second-class citizens. They were born here, they will live here, and I don’t want to see them hurt anymore.”

The future of everyone’s children is, he believes, enough reason for everyone to get involved in shifting people’s perceptions and standing up for the community.

“I take time from my work and my home just to go out and meet with people to spread the word about how good we really are and how committed we are to the well being of the United States. This is our home,” he said.

Dr. Maksoud is not concerned with the possibility of burning himself out, as in the case with many activists. “Yes, you can burn out, but then you come back. Look at the AAI [ Arab American Institute] conference in Michigan. I’m really proud that I’m part of this. Maybe it’s a small part, but it’s been successful and it’s due to the work of all of us, which is rewarding.”

During the past five years, Dr. Maksoud has been involved in numerous initiatives to help improve the quality of life for people in the community here in the United States and for those abroad as well, especially through organizations, like the Egyptian American Community Foundation, which has raised funds to help victims of natural disasters, poverty, and illnesses.

When asked who he is, he replied, “We are Arab Americans. We want to show the administration and our community that we are a part of them. We are committed to the security and well being of the Untied States. We are tax-paying, hardworking businessmen. We are Americans.”

Dr. Maksoud has a simple yet potentially effective plan that he hopes to put into action; he intends on following through on his own, but urges everyone else to get involved as well.

“My plan right now is that I’m not going to allow anyone to speak untruths about our ethnic background or my religion. Through available outlets – such as newspapers, public gatherings, social events, media organizations – I am going to write a complaint directly to networks and their advertising sponsors every time I hear a lie being told about our community.”

The Arab-American community is missing their opportunities “because we don’t understand how the system works in the United States,” Dr. Maksoud says.

“People will listen when you say you are going to hurt them economically. We need to target the sponsors, the advertisers, and let them know that if they are going to sponsor a program that broadcasts hate and lies, we’re just not going to purchase their products anymore. If you have a company that sells cars or vitamins or whatever and you advertise on a show that talks about Arabs in a bigoted, prejudicial, untruthful way, it’s our responsibility to tell them that enough is enough.”

Impressed with the way the African-American community confronted Don Imus and CBS Radio for his offensive remarks about the girls’ basketball team, Dr. Maksoud sees that level of solidarity and strength as a real possibility for the Arab-American community, “if each of us is willing to do our own part, individually.”

“Our ability to have a group representing us in a stronger way isn’t here yet, so we each have to take the initiative. Like what Aramica did in its last issue with the article about the New York Post, Aramica took the initiative. I have to take the initiative. Let’s voice our opinions.”

What about the people who might be afraid to do so?

“Why would anyone be afraid?” Dr. Maksoud asked. This is a country that respects your opinion. That’s the whole thing; they shouldn’t be afraid. There is a system here. There are rules, there are laws. I would be lying if I said there were no problems but still, for the most part, things here are done in a legal, respectful way. You shouldn’t have to worry about people coming after you for writing your opinion. And, thank God, if you ask the majority of Arab Americans, this is why they’re living here – freedom and liberty.”

There are enough things happening all around us right now, believes Dr. Maksoud, for people to dive right in and begin voicing their opinions. We don’t need to gather hundreds of protesters in order to be heard. He believes that even if 10 or 15 people gathered together outside a television station, it’s enough of a crowd to get attention and thus be heard.

“Twenty people outside City Hall gets attention. How many newspapers are there in the tri-state area? If we write to them and vent our issues and explain our positions, at the very least, it will be read by other newspaper readers. We have the AAI and the ADC [American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee] and they have sources they can use to get the word out about situations about which we are unhappy.”

The Arab-American community, according to Dr. Maksoud, is too close. We don’t venture outside of our comfort zone and befriend our neighbors and the people who live in our vicinity. We have to get involved with civic organizations outside the Arab-American community because it offers opportunities to get to know others and to allow them to get to know us.

“We don’t mingle with others. This is part of our problem. It’s time for us to get outside our close network. Many of us are parents. Our children attend school. I invited my daughter to bring five of her school friends to come with us when the Egyptian Folkloric Dance Troupe. It was really great. All their parents called me to tell me how much their kids enjoyed the show. We dance, we laugh, we enjoy like everyone else. We’re not the hate-mongers they show us to be on TV.”

For the next few months, Dr. Maksoud is going to be visiting with community leaders in New York and New Jersey. He’s going to be promoting his plan and inviting everyone to participate.

“I already started writing letters. I’m not going to let any articles pass without a response and this is how it needs to be. Maybe it sounds simple, but it’s efficient. Sponsors are important to newspapers. They want us as consumers and we as consumers have power. I learned this from watching other groups.”